Lets face it. We all have to deal with our fair share of assholes. And now that Mercury Retrograde is in full swing, it probably feels like people are being extra, EXTRA awful. As much as we’d love to exile these people to hell, we just can’t. We have to deal with them in some way, shape or form. So here’s a little yogic guide on how to handle the asshole(s) in your life.

Sometimes these people really push you to your limits. Just the thought of what they did (or didn’t do) makes your blood boil. Your instinct is to do 1 of 4 things.

Put them on BLAST. Blacklist them in your community. Let everyone know how awful they are!!!

Harass them. You may have urges to text them, email them, FB message them, tweet them, leave comments on their IG, send letters in the mail, fax them MULTIPLE times a day so you can remind them that they’re being really shitty and you’d like for them to stop.

Actually start a petition to have them exiled.

Voodoo.

These ideas seem genius at first, but resist all urges to act on them. They are rooted in negativity… and that is not how you should approach any situation. Even if these people deserve a kick in the teeth, you don’t have to be the person to give it to them. Let karma handle that. You instead can approach the situation with positivity. Heres how:

AHIMSA: This is a sanskrit word that translates to non-violence and having compassion. I know, I know. It sounds like the LAST thing you want to do with this person. But it is the right thing to do. It is likely at some point you’ll need to communicate or interact with this person. Do your very best to communicate verbally (and physically, lol) in a way that inflicts no injury or harm. Be kind. Avoid words that would attack them, and instead communicate your feelings. And if you can’t be kind in that moment, then say nothing.

GRATITUDE: Plain and simple. Be thankful that you’re not an asshole. (You actually might be though. If that’s the case CLICK HERE). But if you’re pretty certain that you’re not, be happy about that. Take pride in the fact that you wouldn’t treat another being the way you’ve been treated. Appreciate your good character and integrity. Appreciate the people who do treat you right.

FORGIVE: I know what you’re thinking. The person who did you wrong is sitting at home, on your Netflix account, wearing your favorite shirt, just CACKLING about how they dicked you over. Its likely that is not happening. In face, they probably don’t even realize what they’ve done. Don’t hate on them, pray for them that they stop acting shitty. And don’t take it personal! Everyone fights their own battles and has their own shit, and has to work through their own habits. Unfortunately, sometimes our shit overflows into other people’s shit and then feelings get hurt unintentionally. Forgive them (unless you find out that they are intensions are malicious, and in that case you can revert back to the first list).

LET IT GO: It happened. You can’t change it. If it still hurts like hell, then read steps 1-3 again and see if that’ll ease it up. It takes time. Time takes time. But move forward. All you can do is change the way you act and react to future situations. Love the people that treat you right, pray for the ones that don’t. NAMASTE.